Sixty businesses, of all types and sizes, came together at the launch event of MeetUp@Marstons, in February 2017, looking to find new ways of driving business growth in the town.

The event, organised by Burton Small Business in collaboration with Marston’s Brewery, was designed to bring together businesses of all sizes, from sole traders and micro businesses to the town’s larger and more established companies to chat informally, find out more about each other and identify opportunities for growth and development.

Cheryl Morris, one of the four businesswomen behind Burton Small Business, said it was great to see so many different Burton businesses coming together to support each other: “As businesses it is important that we work together to help drive success in the town. There are so many ways that smaller and larger companies can work together and it was great to see such a packed-out venue for the launch with all types of businesses, ranging in size and sector turning out to celebrate the town’s successes as well as future opportunities.”

The new networking opportunity, which is a first for the brewery since it opened on the Burton site in 1898, will be held on the third Thursday of every month between 6pm and 8pm at Marston’s newly-refurbished Shobnall Road Visitor’s Centre, DE14. The next event is planned for Thursday April 20, from 6pm to 8pm.

Lee Williams, Marketing Manager for Marston’s Brewery, said: “We are proud of our Burton roots and keen to be at the heart of the local business community. Our beer goes out to the world with the message ‘From Burton with Love’ and we’d love to see as many local businesses as possible come together and brew up more success for the local economy.”

Admission to MeetUp@Marstons costs £10 and will include a drink from the Marston’s bar and food by the town’s Abbots Catering Company. There will be no joining or membership fees and no restrictions on the number of businesses from any sector that can attend.

Jay Ellerton of Spectrum Financial Solutions chats to Phil and Claire Shanahan of Enigma Communications at the launch event of MeetUp@MarstonsMarston’s Brewery marketing manager Lee Williams with John Richardson of The Abbot’s Catering CompanyLiz Strama of Burton Small Business Group introduces the concept of MeetUp@Marstons networkingBusinesses gather round the bar at Marston’s Brewery’s DE14 visitor centreBusinesses find plenty in common as they chat at MeetUp@Marstons launch event